With a population of 200,000 the Guro live
west
of the Baule people on the Côte d’Ivoire, in a
heterogeneous area of free-filled savannas
and
dense tropical forest. Originally they were
called
Kweni, but they were violently colonized
between
the years 1906 and 1912 and the dominant
Baule
people of the region subsequently named
them
the Guro tribe.
The Guro farm predominantly cotton, rice,
coffee
and cocoa – the men clear the field and the
women plant. The daily life of the Guro is
dominated by secret societies and by a belief
in
protective spirits, to whom the Guro used to
build shrines and create figures. The most
significant in this respect is the Je society,
which
is responsible for social, political, and juridical
questions, decisions of peace and war,
policing
tasks, and the detection of destructive
forces, as
well as appearing at funerals of its members.
The
Guro people are governed and regulated by a
council of elders, each of them representing
one
of the main families.
The art of the Guro is distinguished by
extreme
refinement.
Notable features on masks are almond
shaped
eyes, rounded foreheads, finely sculptured
nose
and mouth with small but sprouting lips. The
face of the human mask is usually longish
while
the forehead and bridge of the nose form an
elegant S-shaped profile. The hairdo is often
delicately carved in elaborate geometrical
patterns, mostly in five parts. Guro masks
have
small mouths and sharpened teeth. Another
characteristic of many Guro masks is the
broad,
wooden collar that serves as a fixture for a
raffia
cloak worn by the dancer. The masks are
normally colorful as well as black and brown
and
coated with natural dyes.
Guro mask represents the spirit of Gu, the
wife of
Zamble a supernatural being. Gu is often
depicted as elegant, graceful, serene and
beautiful.
Sacred Guro masks, delicately crafted and
colorful are used and honored during
sacrificial
gatherings, funerals, and celebrations. They
honor protective spirits called "Zuzu" which
are
housed in shrines.
- (LSO.240)